Serial Blasts Rock Modi's Patna Rally; Latest Reactions

A series of six explosions took place in Patna, Bihar on Sunday, killing five people and injuring more than 80.

A series of six explosions took place in Patna, Bihar on Sunday, killing five people and injuring more than 80.

The first crude bomb exploded at Patna Railway Station and the rest in Gandhi Maidan, where Gujarat Chief Minsiter Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a rally.

Police officials detained a person in connection with the blasts. There were five low-intensity bomb explosions, most of them at Gandhi Maidan, reported ANI.

The first blast took place outside the community toilet and bath complex in Patna railway station. Bomb disposal teams found two more bombs hidden in the public toilets.

The injured has been taken to Patna Medical Hospital.

Search operations were being carried out by the BDS teams and forensic experts at the station. Security has tightened around the Patna Railway Station.

Modi's Hunkar Rally

NDA prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a mega rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which is about 3 km away from the railway station where the explosion took place.

The rally was supposed to begin at 12 pm. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had made elaborate arrangements for supporters to attend the 'Hunkar rally'.

At Gandhi Maidan, a 30-feet long electronic screen has been erected on the stage behind Modi's podium for those attending the rally.

As many as 11 special trains and 3,000 buses were booked for BJP supporters to commute from different parts of the state to the venue.

The serial blasts didn't seem to hamper BJP's efforts in campaigning against the incumbent JDU government in Bihar.

After the Hunkaar rally, BDS found four bombs at Gandhi Maidan.

Latest Reactions

Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India: "Prime Minister condemns the blasts which occurred at several places in Patna today. He appeals to the people to maintain peace and calm. PM Dr Singh talks to Bihar Chief Minister CM Nitish Kumar and asks him to speedily investigate the blasts, and punish the perpetrators," he tweeted.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP leader: "We condemn this, investigation as to who is behind this must happen," he said.

Digvijaya Singh, Congress spokesperson: "What a coincidence blast at Patna Railway on the day of Modi's Rally ! Challenge to Nitish Govt to find the culprit !" he tweeted.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP leader: "Even after this lawlessness following the blasts, we are ready for the rally, Narendra Modiji will address rally," he said.

Rashid Alvi, Congress leader: "This is extremely unfortunate, government must investigate as to who is behind this. I am certain that truth will be revealed," he said

Sushma Swaraj: "I strongly condemn serial bomb blasts on the occasion of BJP rally in Patna. This is gross intelligence failure," she tweeted.

Sharad Yadav, Janata Dal United (JDU) president: "If there is anything wrong it will come out in investigation. I will go there (to the blast site) in the evening."

Shakeel Ahmed, Congress leader: "Law & order is state government's responsibility. They must investigate and strictest punishment be given to the guilty. It is an extremely unfortunate incident, we strongly condemn it

Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP leader: "There has definitely been an administrative lapse, we are acquiring details about the blasts."

Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP leader: "Somebody telephoned me at 10.30 AM from london that he has seen news regarding bomb blast at Patna Junction. I immediately called DM patna.He was unaware about the blast.I talked to Snr SP PATNA at about 12.30 he said I have also heard about Blast. When I saw 3 blast in gandhi Maidan,I ranged DGP Bihar.he said that truck tyre has burst," he tweeted.

Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir CM: "The forthcoming elections should be a battle of ideas & ideologies, where violence like today's has no place. While states are responsible for security and law & order it is every right thinking persons responsibility to condemn attacks on democracy," he tweeted.